Tax Legislation and Issues on Islamic Financing* Jennifer Chang Senior Executive Director, Financial Services 23 May 2007 *connectedthinking Agenda • • • • Introduction Malaysian tax legislation 2007 – Incentives for Islamic Finance Examples Page 2 Introduction Introduction •• Malaysian Malaysian Government Government has has been been promoting promoting Islamic Islamic Banking Banking and and Finance Finance in in Malaysia Malaysia •• Certain Certain tax tax exemptions exemptions have have been been provided provided and and these these have have been been refined refined over over the the years years •• The The recent recent 2007 2007 Budget Budget provided provided further further tax tax incentives incentives to to Islamic Islamic Finance Finance Page 4 Introduction Conventional Financing compared to Islamic Financing Conventional financing arrangement (3) Pays coupon / interest (1) Issues securities / obtains loan Customer/ Issuer Financiers (2) Funds * Minimal tax implications apart from determining the tax deductibility of coupons / interest and issuance costs Page 5 Introduction Conventional compared to Islamic Financing (contd’) Islamic financing arrangement (1) Funds Customer/ Issuer (1) Sale of asset Financiers (2) Asset repurchase / Ijarah (Lease) (2) Securities issuance * More complex tax considerations depending on the Islamic structure as there is an underlying disposal of asset and repurchase of asset / Lease Page 6 Malaysian Tax Legislation Malaysian tax legislation •• In In order order to to provide provide tax tax neutrality neutrality to to Islamic Islamic funding funding transactions, transactions, the the Malaysian Malaysian tax tax legislation legislation has has certain certain clauses clauses specifically specifically on on Syariah Syariah based based transactions transactions •• The The main main sections sections in in the the Income Income Tax Tax Act, Act, 1967 1967 are are Section Section 2(7) 2(7) and and Section Section 2(8) 2(8) •• RPGT RPGT and and stamp stamp duty duty exemptions exemptions have have also also been been provided provided to to facilitate facilitate Syariah Syariah financing financing transactions transactions Page 8 Malaysian Tax Legislation Income Income Tax Tax Act, Act, 1967 1967 (“ITA”) (“ITA”) Section Section 2(7) 2(7) •• Any Any reference reference in in the the ITA ITA to to interest interest shall: shall: “……apply, “……apply, mutatis mutatis mutandis mutandis to to gains gains or or profits profits received received and and expenses expenses incurred, incurred, in in lieu lieu of of interest, interest, in in transactions transactions conducted conducted in in accordance accordance with with the the principles principles of of Syariah” Syariah” a) Since interest is not allowed under Syari’ah principles, Islamic financing transactions would have a “profit” element instead. b) The Malaysian Income Tax Legislation treats “profits” in Islamic transactions to be similar to interest – Sec. 2(7) c) Therefore, the taxability or deductibility of “profits” would be similar to the treatment of “interest” in a conventional financing arrangement Page 9 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Analysis of Section 2(7) Customer/ Issuer Profit Financiers/ SPV a) “Profit” treated as interest and therefore, tax deductible if funding has been used for business purposes or to purchase assets to generate income b) All tax rules relating to “interest”, such as interest withholding tax and exemptions will equally apply on the “profit” Page 10 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Income Income Tax Tax Act, Act, 1967 1967 (“ITA”) (“ITA”) Section Section 2(8) 2(8) •• Any Any reference reference in in the the ITA ITA to to the the disposal disposal of of an an asset asset or or aa lease lease shall: shall: “exclude “exclude any any disposal disposal of of an an asset asset or or lease lease by by or or to to aa person person pursuant pursuant to to aa scheme scheme of of financing financing approved approved by by the the Central Central Bank, Bank, the the Securities Securities Commission Commission or or LOFSA, LOFSA, as as aa scheme scheme which which is is in in accordance accordance with with the the principles principles of of Syariah Syariah where where such such disposal disposal is is strictly strictly required required for for the the purposes purposes of of complying complying with with those those principles principles but but which which will will not not be be required required in in any any other other schemes schemes of of financing” financing” Page 11 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Analysis of Section 2(8) (1) Funds Customer/ Issuer (1) Sale of asset (2) Asset repurchase/ Ijarah (Lease) Financiers / Malaysian SPV (2) Securities issuance * Section 2(8) seeks to ignore the underlying transaction so that tax neutrality can be achieved in Islamic funding transactions Page 12 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Real Real Property Property Gains Gains Tax Tax Act, Act, 1976 1976 (“RPGT (“RPGT Act”) Act”) Sch Sch2, 2,Para Para3(g) 3(g) (amended) (amended) ““ the the disposal disposal of of any any chargeable chargeable assets assets pursuant pursuant to to aa scheme scheme of of financing financing approved approved by by the the Central Central Bank; Bank; or or the the Securities Securities Commission Commission as as aa scheme scheme which which is is in in accordance accordance with with the the principles principles of of Syariah, Syariah, where where such such disposal disposal is is strictly strictly required required for for the the purpose purpose of of compliance compliance with with those those principles principles but but which which will will not not be be required required for for any any other other schemes schemes of of financing” financing” RPGT RPGT (Exemption) (Exemption) Order Order No. No. 3, 3, 2003 2003 Exempts Exempts any any person person from from payment payment of of RPGT RPGT in in respect respect of of chargeable chargeable gains gains accruing accruing on on the the disposal disposal of of any any chargeable chargeable assets assets in in relation relation to to the the issuance issuance of of PDS PDS under under Islamic Islamic principles. principles. Page 13 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Real Real Property Property Gains Gains Tax Tax Act, Act, 1976 1976 (“RPGT (“RPGT Act”) Act”) RPGT RPGT(Exemption) (Exemption) Order Order2001 2001 Exempts Exempts any any person person from from the the payment payment of of RPGT RPGT in in respect respect of of chargeable chargeable gains gains accruing accruing on on the the disposal disposal of of any any chargeable chargeable assets assets –– a) a) to to or or in in favour favour of of aa special special purpose purpose vehicle; vehicle; or or b) b)in in connection connection with with the the repurchase repurchase of of the the chargeable chargeable assets, assets, to to or or in in favour favour of of the the person person from from whom whom those those assets assets were were acquired, acquired, for for the the purpose purpose of of securitization securitization transaction. transaction. Page 14 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Stamp Stamp Act Act 1949 1949 (“Stamp (“Stamp Act”) Act”) First First Schedule Schedule of of the the Stamp Stamp Act Act –– insertion insertion of of aa new new paragraph paragraph under under “GENERAL “GENERAL EXEMPTIONS” EXEMPTIONS” •• An An instrument instrument executed executed pursuant pursuant to to aa scheme scheme of of Various Various Stamp Stamp Duty Duty Exemption Exemption Orders Orders •• Various Various exemptions exemptions have have been been provided provided on on purchase purchase financing financing approved approved by by the the Central Central Bank Bank or or the the Securities Securities Commission Commission as as aa scheme scheme which which is is in in accordance accordance with with the the principles principles of of Syariah, Syariah, where where such such instrument instrument is is an an additional additional instrument instrument strictly strictly required required for for the the purpose purpose of of compliance compliance with with those those principles principles but but which which will will not not be be required required for for any any other other schemes schemes of of financing. financing. of of property property by by any any financier financier for for the the purpose purpose of of resale resale under under the the principles principles of of Syariah Syariah as as well well as as Ijarah Ijarah transactions. transactions. Page 15 Malaysian Tax Legislation (contd’) Income Income Tax Tax Act, Act, 1967 1967 (“ITA”) (“ITA”) Income Income Tax Tax (Deduction (Deduction for for expenditure expenditure on on issuance issuance of of Islamic Islamic securities) securities) Rules Rules 2005 2005 •• Provides Provides for for tax tax deduction deduction in in respect respect of of expenses expenses Income Income Tax Tax (Deduction (Deduction for for expenditure expenditure on on issuance issuance of of Islamic Islamic securities securities pursuant pursuant to to Istisna’ Istisna’ principle) principle) Rules Rules 2005 2005 •• Provides Provides for for tax tax deduction deduction in in respect respect of of expenses expenses incurred incurred on on issuance issuance of of Islamic Islamic securities securities which which adopt adopt the the principles principles of of mudharabah, mudharabah, musyarakah musyarakah and and ijarah ijarah from from 33 July July 2004 2004 to to the the year year of of assessment assessment 2007 2007 incurred incurred on on issuance issuance of of Islamic Islamic securities securities based based on on istisna’ istisna’ from from 33 July July 2004 2004 to to the the year year of of assessment assessment 2007 2007 • Therefore, issuance costs of Islamic Bonds based on principles of mudharabah, musyarakah, Ijarah and Istisna’ will be tax deductible from 3 July 2004 to year of assessment 2007 Page 16 2007 Budget Incentives – Islamic finance Incentives Islamic Finance • Substantial tax incentives have a Islamic Banking b Fund Management Takaful Tax Incentives Capital Markets c Human Capital Others d been provided to Financial Services sector • Most of the tax incentives are towards the development of Malaysia as an International Islamic Financial Centre • Tax incentives can be broadly categorised into the following areas: a) Islamic Banking and Takaful b) Fund Management c) Capital markets d) Human capital and others Page 18 Incentives a) Islamic Banking and Takaful Islamic Banking and Takaful 1. Income tax exemption for Islamic Banking and Takaful business 2. Tax exemption – Profits paid by Islamic Banks to non-residents 3. Tax neutrality of Islamic financing transactions – Musyarakah financing not required to file partnership tax returns Page 19 Incentives – Islamic Banking and Takaful 1.Income Tax Exemption for Islamic Banking and Takaful Business Proposed Licensed by BNM under Islamic Banking Act / Takaful Act Islamic Bank Islamic Bank Takaful companies Takaful companies Domestic business continue to be taxed at 28% International Currency Divisions Islamic International Currency Banks / International Currency Takaful Operators 10 year tax exemption Income tax exemption for 10 years: • Islamic banks / units licensed under Islamic Banking Act 1983 on income derived from Islamic banking business conducted in international currencies, including transactions with Malaysian residents • Takaful companies/ units licensed under Takaful Act 1984 on income derived from Takaful business conducted in international currencies, including transactions with Malaysian residents Effective from YA 2007 to YA 2016 (Awaiting PU Order) Page 20 Incentives – Islamic Banking and Takaful 2. Tax exemption – Profits paid by Islamic Banks to non-residents Current Interest Banks licensed under BAFIA Islamic window Exempted from tax Non-resident customers Profit Paragraph 33 Schedule 6 provides that interest income received by non-residents from banking and financial institutions established under Banking and Financial Institutions Act, 1989 is exempted from tax. Proposed • Banking and financial institutions established under Islamic Banking Act, 1983 • Other financial institutions approved by the Ministry of Finance Profits in lieu of interest income received by nonresidents Exempted from tax Stream line tax treatment on profits “interest received from Islamic banks and conventional banks Effective from 2/9/2006 (Amendments made to Schedule 6 Paragraph 33) Page 21 Incentives – Islamic Banking and Takaful 3. Tax neutrality– Musyarakah financing Islamic Islamic bank bank Loan Loan applicant applicant Musyarakah Purchase properties or investments Question: Will the Musyarakah venture be taxed as a partnership ? • Currently, definition of “partnership” includes all types of partnership, the only exception being a Hindu joint family • Proposed: Definition amended to exclude “any association which is established pursuant to a scheme of financing in accordance with the principles of Syariah” • Provide tax neutrality to Islamic financing structures based on the concept of Musyarakah • No separate partnership tax return is required to be submitted Effective from YA 2007 (Amendment to Section 2) Page 22 Incentives b) Fund Management 1. Tax exemption for companies managing foreign Islamic funds 2. REITs - Tax transparency system refined further 3. REITs investors – reduction in tax rates Page 23 Incentives – Fund Management 1. Tax exemption for companies managing foreign Islamic funds Current Proposed • Local and foreign companies licensed by the Securities Commission (“SC”) under the Approved Foreign Fund Management status and managing foreign investors’ funds are taxed at 10% on fees received from foreign investors • Local and foreign companies managing funds of foreign investors established under Shariah principles be given full tax exemption on management fees for 10 years • Fund must be approved by SC Clarification required: What has been defined as “funds of foreign investors” ? Effective from YA 2007 to YA 2016 (Awaiting exemption order) Page 24 Incentives – Fund Management 2. REITs - Tax transparency system refined further Current Approved REITs Malaysian Investors Taxed at own marginal rates of tax Foreign Investors 28% WHT Distribution Retains income Income Not Distributed: • Continue to be taxed 28% at REIT level Income Distributed: • Income distributed will not be taxed at REIT level • Instead, investors will be taxed on the income distributed based on their marginal rates of tax • Withholding tax of 28% on distributions to non-resident investors Page 25 Incentives – Fund Management 2. REITs - Tax transparency system refined further (cont’d) Proposed Approved REITs Approved REITs Distributes at least 90% of income Distributes less than 90% of income • REITs will be exempted from tax on all income • REITs will be subject to income tax on chargeable income at normal corporate income tax (e.g. 28%) • Investors will be entitled to tax credit on tax already paid by REITs Effective from YA 2007 Page 26 Incentives – Fund Management 3. REITs investors – Reduction in tax rates REIT Distributions Current tax treatment Proposed tax treatment Individuals & Noncorporate Investors Resident Taxed at own marginal rate of tax Withholding tax of 15% Non-resident Withholding tax of 28% Withholding tax of 15% Corporate Investors Resident Taxed at normal corporate tax rate (28% currently) Existing tax treatment (27% effective YA 2007) Non-resident Withholding tax at 28% Existing tax treatment (27% withholding tax from 1.1.2007) Foreign Withholding tax at 28% Withholding tax of 20% Institutional investors* *Institutional investors - pension fund, collective investment scheme or such other person approved by the Minister Effective from 1/1/2007 ( 5 year tax incentive) (Amendments to tax act) Page 27 Incentives c) Islamic capital market 1. Expenses to establish Islamic stock broking companies 2. Extension of tax incentive for issuance of Islamic securities 3. Tax treatment of SPV for Islamic financing 4. Profits on foreign currency bonds Page 28 Incentives – Islamic capital market 1. Tax deduction on expenses to establish Islamic stock broking companies Tax incentive Establishment expenses • Pre-commencement expenses are generally not deductible (except for certain incorporation expenses). • Consultancy • Islamic stock broking company A tax deduction allowed equivalent to the establishment expenses incurred • Cost of market research • Legal fees • Cost of feasibility study • Cost of obtaining license and business approval - Applications received by SC from 2/9/2006 until 31/12/2009 - Company must commence business within 2 years from date of approval from the SC (PU Order gazetted) Page 29 Incentives – Islamic capital market 2. Extension of tax incentive for issuance of Islamic securities • Expenses incurred on issuance of Islamic securities extended to another 3 years to 2010 • Incentive will also be given to all Islamic securities products approved by the Securities Commission Issuance of bonds based on: Ijarah Istisna’ Mudharabah Musyarakah Tax deduction of issuance costs up to 2010 Others approved by SC (including Al-Bai Bithaman Ajil and Murabahah ?) Tax deduction of issuance costs from YA 2008 to 2010 Page 30 Incentives – Islamic capital market 3. Tax treatment of special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) for Islamic financing Example of Islamic bond issuance Funds flow Malaysian Company Sale of assets Leaseback Funds flow Foreign investors SPV in Malaysia Bonds Malaysian investors Lease payments Profits / “Interest” • Under Islamic financing transactions, SPV is set up purely to channel funds and facilitate issuance of Islamic bonds/ funding • Currently, SPV is subject to income tax and administrative requirements under Income Tax Act, 1967 (“ITA”) • SPV not subject to income tax and not required to comply with ITA administrative requirements. Certain conditions and clarification required. Effective from YA 2007 Page 31 Incentives – Islamic capital market 4. Tax exemption – Profits on foreign currency bonds Current Interest Bonds in Ringgit Exempted from tax Non-resident customers Profit Interest or profits on Ringgit bonds approved by the Securities Commission is not subject to withholding tax. Recent announcement Bonds in foreign currency To be exempted and not subject to withholding tax Page 32 Incentives d) Human capital and others 1. Tax relief for individuals on Islamic Finance courses 2. Additional 20% stamp duty exemption on Islamic Financial instruments 3. Stamp duty exemption for loans to SMEs Page 33 Incentives – Human capital and others 1. Tax relief for individuals on Islamic Finance courses Current Proposed • Relief of up to RM5,000 per annum for fees paid for certain courses at local institution of higher education • Relief extended to courses in Islamic finance approved by Bank Negara Malaysia or Securities Commission at local institutions of higher education, including at the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (“INCEIF”) (i.e. science, technical, vocational, industrial skills development, information and communication technology, accountancy and law) Effective from YA 2007 Page 34 Incentives – Human capital and others 2. Additional 20% Stamp duty exemption on Islamic Instruments Stamp Duty (Remission)(No.2) Order 2007 • Additional 20% stamp duty exemption is given on instruments used in Islamic financing • Instrument has to be approved by Bank Negara Malaysia Syariah Advisory Council or Securities Commission Effective from 2 /9/2006 to 31/12/2009 Recent announcement • 100% stamp duty exemption for 10 years on foreign currency instruments executed by Islamic financial institutions and on instruments relating to Ringgit as well as foreign currency Islamic securities. Page 35 Examples Example 1 Al-Bai Al-Bai Bithaman Bithaman Ajil Ajil (“ABBA”) (“ABBA”) Sale Sale and and purchase purchase transaction transaction for for the the financing financing of of an an asset asset on on aa deferred deferred payment payment basis basis with with aa pre-agreed pre-agreed payment payment period. period. The The sale sale price price will will include include aa profit profit margin. margin. Essentially Essentially aa sale sale and and buyback buyback arrangement arrangement Proceeds 1. Issuer sells assets to financiers Malaysian Bank / SPV Issuer 2. Issuer purchases the same assets from financiers at a marked-up price Issues ABBA bonds with obligation to pay financiers the purchase amount Page 37 Example 1 – ABBA (contd’) Malaysian Malaysian Tax Tax considerations considerations based based on on current current rules rules •• Based Based on on Section Section 2(8) 2(8) of of the the ITA, ITA, the the disposal disposal of of the the asset asset will will be be disregarded disregarded for for income income tax tax purposes purposes •• So, So, there there should should not not be be any any RPGT RPGT or or income income tax tax impact impact on on the the disposal disposal of of properties properties or or assets assets •• Stamp Stamp duty duty exemption exemption will will mean mean that that no no additional additional stamp stamp duty duty will will be be applicable applicable compared compared to to aa conventional conventional transaction transaction •• Based Based on on Section Section 2(7), 2(7), the the profit profit element element will will be be treated treated as as “interest” “interest” for for tax tax purposes. purposes. Tax Tax deductibility deductibility therefore therefore available available depending depending on on usage usage of of funds funds •• Issuance Issuance cost cost not not tax tax deductible deductible since since bond bond has has not not been been issued issued based based on on mudharabah, mudharabah, musyarakah, musyarakah, ijarah ijarah or or istisna istisna Page 38 Example 2 Ijarah Ijarah AA contract contract for for the the sale sale of of benefits benefits and and services services between between the the owner owner of of the the assets assets (“lessor”) (“lessor”) and and the the user user of of those those same same assets assets (“lessee”) (“lessee”) at at an an agreed agreed price price 1. Sale of assets/properties Issuer 2. Leaseback assets in return for Al-Ijarah rental stream Malaysian Bank / SPV 3. Issue Sukuk Al-Ijarah Bonds Investors Page 39 Example 2 – Ijarah (contd’) Tax Tax considerations considerations •• Disposal Disposal of of the the assets assets is is disregarded disregarded for for the the purpose purpose of of income income tax tax based based on on Section Section 2(8) 2(8) of of the the ITA ITA •• No No RPGT RPGT impact impact on on the the disposal disposal of of properties properties •• No No additional additional stamp stamp duty duty will will be be applicable applicable compared compared to to aa conventional conventional transaction transaction •• Based Based on on Section Section 2(7), 2(7), the the profit profit element element will will be be treated treated as as “interest” “interest” for for tax tax purposes purposes •• Still Still need need to to consider consider impact impact of of Income Income Tax Tax Leasing Leasing Regulations Regulations (if (if any) any) •• Taxation Taxation of of SPV SPV needs needs to to be be considered considered •• Issuance Issuance cost cost will will be be tax tax deductible deductible since since bond bond has has been been issued issued based based on on Ijarah Ijarah Page 40 Example 3 Tax Tax considerations considerations Acquisition and holding of vehicles as inventory Islamic bank Customer Regulations Regulations (ITLR) (ITLR) apply apply to to the the Islamic Islamic Bank? Bank? •• Leasing Leasing income income treated treated as as separate separate Ijarah Purchase vehicle and hold as inventory •• Would Would Income Income Tax Tax Leasing Leasing source source of of the the Islamic Islamic Bank Bank Sell or lease motor vehicles •• Common Common expenses expenses and and funding funding costs costs need need to to be be segregated segregated based based on on aa formula formula •• Capital Capital allowances allowances quarantined quarantined to to leasing leasing source source Some Some Islamic Islamic banking banking products products include include the the Islamic Islamic bank bank entering entering into into arrangements arrangements where where the the asset asset is is owned owned by by the the Islamic Islamic Bank Bank legally legally •• Could Could increase increase effective effective tax tax rate rate Page 41 Example 4 Musyarakah arrangements Islamic bank Loan applicant Musyarakah Purchase equity in companies •• Islamic Islamic bank bank enters enters into into “partnership” “partnership” with with customer customer in in order order to to fund fund an an acquisition acquisition or or project project •• Effective Effective YA YA 2007, 2007, no no need need to to file file separate separate partnership partnership tax tax return return • Investments in various sectors (e.g. halal food, plantations, etc.) •• Islamic Islamic Bank Bank will will be be taxed taxed on on returns returns from from Musyarakah Musyarakah • Project financing Page 42 Example 5 – Case study Foreign Foreign Ijarah Ijarah AA contract contract for for the the sale sale of of benefits benefits and and services services between between the the owner owner of of the the assets assets (“lessor”) (“lessor”) and and the the user user of of those those same same assets assets (“lessee”) (“lessee”) at at an an agreed agreed price price 1. Sale of assets/properties Issuer 2. Leaseback assets in return for Al-Ijarah rental stream Labuan or Foreign Bank / SPV 3. Issue Sukuk Al-Ijarah Bonds Investors How would this transaction be treated for tax purposes ? Page 43 Example 5 – Foreign Ijarah (contd’) Questions Questions •• How How would would disposal disposal be be treated treated for for tax tax purposes purposes ?? •• Any Any income income tax tax or or RPGT RPGT impact impact ?? •• Tax Tax deductibility deductibility of of funding funding costs costs ?? Withholding Withholding tax tax impact impact ?? •• Issuance Issuance costs costs tax tax deductible deductible ?? Page 44 © 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity. *connectedthinking is a trademark of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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